Under first-year manager Gabe Kapler, the Phillies are back in a battle for first in late May for the first time since Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Cole Hamels dominated during the glory years. But in a year where the Eagles won the Super Bowl, Villanova won a national championship and the 76ers won 52 games, perhaps Philly fans need more than 45 games to hop on the bandwagon. Citizens Bank Park — the site of an NL-record 257 straight sellouts that ended in 2012 — was thin with just over 21,000 fans announced on a gorgeous night.

“It’s a big one for us,” Kapler said.

And, it came against a familiar rival.

The Braves played the Phillies for a whopping 10th time already, resulting in this quirk: Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz faced Pivetta for the fourth time this season.

Hard to believe, Harry.

The right-handers each delivered outings worthy of two teams fighting for first.

Pivetta (4-2) allowed only four hits, walked one and won his third straight start. Seranthony Dominguez tossed a scoreless eighth and Hector Neris finished the five-hitter in the ninth with his ninth save.

Foltynewicz (3-3) allowed six hits and struck out five in six innings. His lone run allowed came when Williams hit a solo shot in the fourth, an opposite-field poke to left for his third homer of the year. The Phillies have homered in 16 straight games.

Altherr pinch hit for Pivetta in the seventh and crushed a two-run homer to left off Shane Carle for a 3-0 lead.

Two swings, one nice win.

“I take pride in the way a lot of our players have played,” Kapler said. “I take pride in the way they’ve worked. I take pride in their preparation. I really love our players. I love coming to work with them every day. I ride the emotion that they ride.”

The Phillies and Braves don’t play again after this series until they face each other seven of the final 10 games of the season.

Maybe in September, they’ll be playing for the title.

PHILLY SPECIAL

Phillies LF Rhys Hoskins gave Doug Pederson some tips before the Eagles coach took some batting practice. Pederson, enjoying the perks of winning the Super Bowl, had already thrown out the first pitch at the home opener. He won a hitting contest against some Eagles rookies before the game and earned a Louisville Slugger bat inscribed with the title, “2018 Philadelphia Eagles batting champion.”

Phillies: SS J.P. Crawford (right elbow strain) fielded grounder at extended spring training. … RHP Pat Neshek made 30 throws from flat ground as he recovers from a strained right shoulder. … RHP Jared Eickhoff’s return from a back injury suffered a setback when he felt a twinge in his right index and middle fingers during a rehab start. “I don’t think we’re at the stage of deciding the level of concern. I think we’re at the stage of evaluating,” Kapler said.

UP NEXT

Braves: RHP Brandon McCarthy (4-2, 5.05 ERA) looks to improve already to 4-0 this season against the Phillies. McCarthy has a 2.25 ERA in three starts that span just 16 innings.

Phillies: RHP Vince Velasquez (4-4, 4.37) is already 0-3 against the Braves this season. Velasquez has lasted just 12 2-3 innings in three starts this season and is 0-4 lifetime against the Braves.